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All About My Scuba Diving Experience

December 19, 2008 By Mike

By Mattie Ven

Scuba diving is a great way to experience the underwater kingdom. It gives you the chance to unveil the mysteries and the wonders of the environment which covers the majority of our planet. It is believed that once you learn all about scuba diving, it will become a lifelong obsession. After I had a private lesson, it is time to take an exam for an open water dive certificate. My exam took place in Boracay Island. Boracay is a famous tourist destination. With its white sandy beaches and blue clear water, it is considered a paradise island. Many wonderful and interesting marine lives can also be found in the dive sites. The marine life is very diversified that a diver will definitely enjoy and love diving in.

During my first dive experience I was really excited but a bit nervous. I really tried hard not panic as I and my instructor went deeper and deeper underwater. This is my chance to overcome my fear. It was not long I felt comfortable. It was really a great experience, seeing the beauty of sea wildlife because of the presence of many varieties of reef fish, with Lagoon Rays and moray eels. It was totally a different world. It is so quite. For me, it is a total relaxation.

Another diving experience that was unforgettable in my lifetime was when I scuba dive in Tulum, Mexico. Tulum offers some of the best reef diving and snorkeling in the Mayan Riviera, together with exciting and cave diving. Around Tulum you will have access to many freshwater caverns known as cenotes, part of an ancient underwater river system running from the deep jungle to the sea throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. A combination of various geological events and climate changes created an incredible and unique ecosystem in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. I am positive that you will not be disappointed with your scuba diving experience in Tulum.

Several things I appreciate about my visit in Tulum are the not so crowded beaches, its white, sugar-like sand and turquoise blue water, and their rustic cabanas. These cabanas are quite unique Tulum accommodations. This place is not for you if you're looking for luxuries. But since we visited as a group we opted to rent a Tulum beach house.

I am really eager to experience more in scuba diving, to widen my knowledge and explore more.

Tulum beach house

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Artificial Reefs – Fish Love 'em and Scuba Divers Love 'em

December 16, 2008 By Mike

By Rocky Boschman

As long as humans have been building rafts, boats, ships or any kind of water craft, we been sinking them (the vast majority unintentionally). For most of our history on the oceans, our technology has been no match for the power and force that can be mustered against it by the seven seas. Even our biggest ventures - like the Titanic - are not invulnerable to ice bergs or missiles.

And as long as humans have ventured under the oceans, we've been trying to get down to these sunken ships to take a look.

In recent history, we've been intentionally sinking unused and outdated vessels and calling them "artificial reefs". There is a measured benefit to both marine life and local economies when "artificial reef societies" intentionally put a ship on the bottom of the ocean. In Nanaimo, BC, Canada, the local Chamber of Commerce reports that the two artificial reefs, the HMCS Saskatchwan and HMCS Cape Breton, located in the Nanaimo harbour, have produced a four million dollar a year increase in tourism since 2001.

The HMCS Yukon contributes more than five million dollars annually to the San Diego, CA region.

Scuba diving on artificial reefs require special care, training and sometimes equipment. Local dive shops provide training and certification for "wreck diving" and provide the special equipment required to safely dive around artificial reefs.

On May 17, 2006, the retired aircraft carrier Oriskany became the largest vessel ever to be "reefed". At 910 feet in length and with visibility averaging between 60 and 100+ feet, the "Mighty O" is an impressive site to divers. Her flight deck is sitting at 145 feet - considered a technical dive - but her island can be approached at 78 feet.

Overtime, an artificial reef will re-create its own biomass underwater becoming a home to countless species of fish and plants and an attraction and destination to scuba divers.

Rocky Boschman is a marine biologist and founder of Scuble.com. http://scuble.com/

He has been actively promoting conservation for many years. Scuble.com is an online community and a great resource for information about the oceans. Join now, its free.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rocky_Boschman
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Scuba Wet Suits and How They Help a Diver Beat the Chill While Diving

December 15, 2008 By Mike

By Jim Bray

Because the right exposure suit is an invaluable piece of scuba gear, there are three things a diver needs to consider when choosing a scuba diving wet suit.

Types of Scuba Diving Wet Suits

A divers personal comfort requirements will vary. It is best to take various suit options, possibly layering these to get the best protection. Most divers will decide on a suit that will suffice in a variety of temperatures.

  • Skin Suits: In warm waters, a diver may not need thermal protection, but a thin suit will help prevent equipment from rubbing the skin and protect against stings and scraps. The thinnest suits are made of Lycra and are made from 0.5 mm neoprene. Lycra suits are also good to wear as a base layer under a heavier suit for added warmth.
  • Shorties Suits: A shortie wet suit provides a little more thermal protection than a skin. Because they leave the arms and legs exposed, they do not provide protection against stings and scraps.
  • Full-Length Suits: A full length wet suit is the choice of most divers. These suits give a diver more thermal protection on the arms and legs and provide better protection against scraps and stings. Full-length scuba diving wet suits are made from 2-8 mm neoprene.
  • Semi-Dry Suits: Semi-dry suits are normally worn in colder waters, but can be worn in warm waters like the Mediterranean Sea. When worn in cold waters, divers will also wear a hood and gloves with a semi-dry suit. These suits are made of 9 mm neoprene and can be worn in layers. Divers know this style as a farmer john wet suit. It consists of a coverall-style base layer with a long sleeve shortie worn over the base layer.
  • Dry-Suits: Dry-suits are designed to keep divers warm when they are diving in extremely cold conditions like under ice. Dry-suits are loose-fitting and divers will often wear a thermal under suit with a dry suit for added insulation. Dry-suits use air that can be injected by the diver to keep the water pressure from squeezing the suit against the body. Because the suit is loose-fitting, the air can move around inside the suit. This can shift buoyancy to the legs and turn the diver upside down. Because of this, it is best to take an orientation course before diving with a dry-suit.

The Importance of a Good Fitting Wet Suit

A scuba diving wet suit keeps a diver warm by trapping a thin layer of water between the diver's body and the wet suit. This water gradually becomes warm and acts as an insulator. A wet suit that fits close to the body gives a diver better insulation while diving.

A dive suit that fits properly should be easy to put on and follow the shape of a diver's body. This will keep water from flowing freely between the suit and the body. A suit that fits poorly will chill rather than warm the diver.

A good wet suit will have efficient seals at the neck, wrists and ankles. Good seals will stop water from flushing through the suit and allow the trapped water to warm up.

How to Maintain a Wet Suit

  • Properly maintaining a wet suit will help insure the comfort and thermal protection of the suit.
  • Rinse the wet suit after every dive to remove salt and debris. This will help to prevent the suit from rotting.
  • Periodically wash the suit with a special wet suit shampoo. This will keep the neoprene supple and prevent mildew.
  • Zippers should be coated regularly with wax or zip slip. This will keep them lubricated and help prevent corrosion.
  • Place the suit on a hanger to dry. Do not place the suit in direct sunlight while drying.
  • Once the suit is dry, store it in a cool, dry place on the hanger.

Following a simple maintenance regimen will help prolong the life of the wet suit.

I have been a scuba diving instructor since 1994. I have instructor ratings with PADI and NAUI. Being a dive instructor enabled me to live and work in the Caribbean for 15 years. From PADI I have received a letter of congratulations for certifying 100 or more students in 1994 and a Certificate of Recognition for Excellence.

I have taken my instructor training to the level of Master Scuba Diver Trainer.

I own and manage my own web site about scuba diving at http://www.best-scuba-diving-tips.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Bray
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Dive Computers

December 3, 2008 By Mike

Dive Computers

Scuba computers are compact digital devices that perform the task of nitrogen management without the need of dive tables. Scuba computers combine a timer with a depth gauge.  These computers run software that computes the absorption of gases within the divers body.  Many recreational divers use scuba computers. While it is essential during training that all divers learn about residual nitrogen and decompression using dive tables, scuba computers will enhance the divers experience as it will perform nitrogen management.   It is important that the diver periodically review the dive tables in the event of computer malfunctions.

It is important to understand that  scuba computer does NOT plan any dives for the diver.  The planning is the responsibility of the one diving  because dive safety must be planned by the diver and not the computer.    All dive certification agencies should promote dive safety. 

Dive computers keep track of the following:

  • depth and bottom time
  • amount of nitrogen present in the diver's body
  • alerts the diver if nitrogen levels are getting too high
  • informs the diver to make decompression stops if necessary

Traditional dive tables use only maximum depth and time to calculate absorbed nitrogen.   The calculation assumes the diver was at the maximum depth for the entire dive.     This is where we find the benefits of dive computers.   Dive computers do not calculate nitrogen in the same manner used when using dive table.   Dive computers accurately calculate and track the depth allowing the diver to have longer bottom time.   More bottom time means longer dives.

When shopping for a dive computer do consider the following:

  • Can the battery be replaced by the diver or must it be serviced to be replaced?
  • Can the dive data be uploaded to a computer?
  • Can the dive computer handle nitrox gas mixtures as well as air?
  • Can the buttons on the computer be managed while wearing neoprene gloves?
  • Is the computers interface to the diver's liking?
  • Does the dive computer support decompression management?
  • Does the dive computer support "time-to-fly" (time you must wait between your last dive and ascending to altitude or flying)?
  • Does the dive computer use a well-tested algorithm for calculating gas absorption and decompression?  (Mares-Wienke Reduced Gradient Bubble Model (RGBM) Algorithm,  Buhlmann Algorithm, and etc.)

Always research the dive computer's brand and model before purchasing. Look for recognizable manufacturers and consult the diver magazines and consumer guides.

-Fin For Yourself

http://www.FinForYourSelf.com/store

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